FSQA Lead

Amir Quality Meats•Wellington North, ON

13d•Onsite

About The Position

Amir Specialty Poultry (ASP) is seeking an experienced Food Safety & Quality Assurance (FSQA) Manager to join their leadership team at their new facility in Arthur, Ontario. This is a critical role responsible for architecting the entire food safety and quality assurance framework from the ground up. The FSQA Manager will be responsible for writing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), developing and implementing the HACCP plan, designing GMP, SSOP, and sanitation verification programs, and ensuring compliance with CFIA federal requirements. This role also involves building and leading the QA team, serving as the primary point of contact for CFIA inspectors, and collaborating with various departments to maintain a high standard of food safety and quality. The ideal candidate will have a strong technical background in food safety regulations and a proven ability to lead and develop a team, with a passion for building a robust food safety culture.

Requirements

5 - 7 years of progressive experience in food safety and quality assurance within a federally inspected (CFIA) meat or poultry processing environment.
Experience 3-5 years of people management experience
Deep, hands-on knowledge of CFIA regulations, the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR), and federal licensing requirements; experience navigating the federal licensing process is a significant asset.
Proven expertise in HACCP plan development and implementation; HACCP certification is required.
Comprehensive knowledge of GMP, SSOP, PRP, and sanitation program design and management in a federally regulated facility.
Demonstrated experience authoring food safety SOPs, quality manuals, and regulatory documentation from the ground up.
Strong track record of building and leading QA teams, including hiring, training, and performance management of QA Supervisors and Technicians.
Proficiency in internal auditing; third-party audit experience (SQF, BRC, or equivalent) is an asset.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present clearly to regulatory bodies, senior leadership, and plant-floor teams alike.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite; experience with quality management software or ERP systems is an asset.

Nice To Haves

Experience navigating the federal licensing process is a significant asset.
Third-party audit experience (SQF, BRC, or equivalent) is an asset.
Experience with quality management software or ERP systems is an asset.
Post-secondary education in Food Science, Microbiology, Agricultural Sciences, or a related discipline is preferred.

Responsibilities

Author, implement, and maintain all QA and food safety Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the ASP facility, establishing the documentation framework from the ground up.
Develop and operationalize the facility’s HACCP plan, including all prerequisite programs (PRPs), critical control points (CCPs), and corrective action procedures.
Design and implement GMP, SSOP, and sanitation verification programs in alignment with CFIA federal requirements and industry best practices.
Establish internal audit schedules, inspection protocols, and non-conformance reporting systems to ensure ongoing compliance and continuous improvement.
Serve as the primary point of contact for all CFIA inspectors and federal regulatory bodies, maintaining a proactive, transparent, and professional relationship.
Ensure the facility meets and exceeds all CFIA Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR) requirements throughout the build-out phase and following licensure.
Lead the facility through its federal licensing process, coordinating all documentation, readiness assessments, and regulatory submissions required for approval by 2027.
Monitor regulatory updates and proactively adapt facility programs and procedures to maintain full compliance as requirements evolve.
Recruit, onboard, and build a high-performing FSQA team including QA Supervisors and QA Technicians, scaling headcount in alignment with the facility’s commissioning and operational ramp-up.
Provide ongoing coaching, mentorship, and performance development to all direct reports, fostering a culture of ownership, precision, and pride in food safety.
Deliver food safety and quality training programs for all plant employees, ensuring every team member understands their role in maintaining compliance and product integrity.
Set clear performance expectations and KPIs for the FSQA team, conducting regular reviews and providing constructive, development-focused feedback.
Establish and maintain the facility’s quality management system (QMS), including document control, record retention, and version management of all QA documentation.
Monitor and analyze quality data, product testing results, and audit findings to identify trends, drive root cause analysis, and implement corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs).
Collaborate closely with the Plant Manager and Production Manager to integrate quality checkpoints throughout the production process without compromising throughput.
Champion a “food safety first” culture at every level of the organization, making quality a shared responsibility across all departments.
Partner with Supply Chain to establish incoming raw material inspection standards and supplier quality requirements.
Work closely with Maintenance to ensure sanitation and equipment hygiene standards are met and that preventive maintenance schedules support food safety objectives.
Collaborate with the HRBP on food safety training integration during onboarding and ongoing workforce development.
Liaise with other Amir Group divisions to align on group-wide food safety standards and share best practices across facilities.
Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of Operations.